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Cheap train tickets from Oakland to Santa Barbara

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Oakland to Santa Barbara Train Schedule

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Is it better to travel by bus or train from Oakland to Santa Barbara?

There are usually 1 daily bus trips available from Oakland to Santa Barbara.

Bus
Train

Avg. Price

Avg. Price

$58.46

Avg. Price

$78.51

Daily Trips

Daily Trips

1

Daily Trips

6

Duration

Duration

10h 47m

Duration

9h 6m

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Trip Summary

You can pick from 5 daily train trips between Oakland and Santa Barbara. The average train journey from Oakland to Santa Barbara takes 9 hours and 4 minutes, but some Amtrak train trips are as short as 8 hours.

Distance274 mi (442 km)
Fastest train8h 0m
Lowest price$45.00
Trains per day1
Most frequent serviceAmtrak
Train lines2

What is the price of a train ticket from Oakland to Santa Barbara?

In the last month, the average price of a train ticket from Oakland to Santa Barbara was $73.48. Good news! You can find the cheapest tickets if you book your trip at least 18 days prior to the travel date. You’ll likely pay around $8.34 more if you wait to book until the last minute.

Average train ticket prices from Oakland to Santa Barbara by travel date

$90$60$30OctNov

The average cost of a one-way train trip from Oakland to Santa Barbara is expected to fluctuate between $73 and $85 in the next 30 days. If you’re planning a train trip to Santa Barbara in the upcoming week, the cheapest price in the next 7 days for a ticket from Oakland is $74.

Monthly avg. prices

$100$80$60$40$20DJFMAMJJASON
Ticket prices for the train from Oakland to Santa Barbara often fluctuate based on the time of year. For the best prices on this route, book in November when the average ticket price is only $58. If you're thinking of traveling from Oakland to Santa Barbara during March, keep in mind that train ticket prices may be higher than usual, with an average price of $80 during this time of year. The best way to score a cheap deal, even in March, is to book your trip well in advance.

Prices as travel date approaches

$100$80$60$40$203020100

By booking your train trip from Oakland to Santa Barbara on Wanderu at least 18 days ahead of time, you can save about $8.34 on your ticket. Waiting until the last minute means missing out on these savings!

Which train should you take from Oakland to Santa Barbara?

2 train services operate from Oakland to Santa Barbara. Amtrak usually has more trains scheduled, with 4 trips per day. That said, it's still worth comparing the prices and trip durations:

TrainDaily TripsAvg. TimeAvg. Price
Amtrak49h 5m$78.97
Amtrak Coast Starlight19h 4m$67.48
  • Amtrak is the largest passenger railroad service in America, offering daily intercity trains to hundreds of destinations across the contiguous United States, as well as several cities in Canada. Every Amtrak train comes equipped with comfortable seats with extra legroom, as well as several four-seat areas with tables in the middle. In addition, each car has a freshly cleaned restroom, free WiFi and power outlets at every seat. There are also snack bars where you can purchase drinks or food during your journey. On average, there are 4 Amtrak trains from Oakland to Santa Barbara every day, as well as 6 trips on the weekends, with prices starting from $45.

  • The Amtrak Coast Starlight is a service provided by Amtrak that connects Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles on the US Pacific coast. The full journey winds through the Cascade Mountains, perfectly clipped vineyards, and dense coastal forest, allowing passengers to get a glimpse of the US west coast while enjoying air-conditioned cars, power outlets, complimentary onboard WiFi, and snacks.

Frequently asked questions about traveling by train from Oakland to Santa Barbara

Yes, there are trains that can take you the entire way from Oakland to Santa Barbara. However, there are also some trips on this route that require you to board another vehicle, such as a bus or a shuttle, during your journey. This is worth paying attention to as you book your trip, since a direct train may be preferable for its speed and convenience.

The distance between Oakland and Santa Barbara is approximately 274 miles, or 442 kilometers. The average train journey between these two cities takes 9 hours and 4 minutes, although the absolute fastest you could get there is 8 hours,

Looking for ways to pass the time? Most trains are equipped with Wi-Fi, which means you can stream music, browse social media or get some work done during your ride. That said, in case your train has a spotty signal, or is among the few without Wi-Fi, we also recommend downloading TV shows and movies to your mobile device in advance of your trip. That way the ride will fly by whatever the Wi-Fi situation.

Trains from Oakland to Santa Barbara are the most crowded on Monday. Tickets also tend to be more expensive then. If you are looking for a great deal on your train tickets or just want extra room to stretch out, consider traveling on Thursday instead, as it tends to be the least crowded day of the week.

The earliest train departs Oakland at 7:00am while the last train of the day leaves at 12:00pm. To see all scheduled departure times, use the search function on this page to get the full schedule for your specific travel dates.

There are 5 scheduled trains on most days. There is one direct train, which you can stay on for the entire journey from Oakland to Santa Barbara. In contrast, taking a non-direct train would require you to transfer trains during your trip.

You can also take a train for your return trip from Santa Barbara to Oakland.

City Information

Oakland

Oakland, CA - OAK-0

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-1

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA - OAK-2

Image credit: Unsplash

Oakland, CA is a port city that is beginning to step out of the shadow of San Francisco, its neighbor to the west. Every visitor should start their Oakland trip in the downtown area and Old Oakland, the city's historic quarter full of quaint old buildings. While here, don't forget to take a short detour to Oakland's famous Chinatown as well. The African American Museum and Library at Oakland tells the history of Black communities in the area and is definitely worth a stop. For those who would prefer to stay close to nature, Dr. Aurelia Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park's abundance of redwood groves will offer amazing views.

Oakland's food scene is vibrant and diverse, with a wide range of offerings for all budgets. Enssaro is a popular local name with mid-range dishes that will whet your appetite. For an excellent haute-cuisine dinner, head towards The Wolf.

It's easy to get around the Bay Area on local public transit (called the BART, for Bay Area Rapid Transit). Getting to Oakland from further afield is also a breeze thanks to many intercity bus routes in the area and Amtrak's Capitol Corridor train, which stops in Oakland. Flights arrive at the Oakland International Airport, but several additional airport options in the larger Bay Area are also available.

Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is a major travel destination along the southern coast of California. Dramatically situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Santa Ynez Mountains, Santa Barbara offers incomparable scenery with a comfortably warm climate year-round. White stucco buildings with Mediterranean-style architecture, gorgeous beaches, and upscale local cuisine give Santa Barbara the nickname "The American Riviera."

There are many kinds of vacations to enjoy in Santa Barbara. You can spend days on the soft sand of Leadbetter Beach, surfing in the swells at Rincon Point, or shopping for trinkets along Stearns Wharf. Or embrace the area's history by visiting the Mission Santa Barbara, a Spanish mission founded in 1786. Highlights from the mission include Spanish architecture, a rose garden, a museum, and even crypts.

Santa Barbara Airport, only a few miles from downtown, serves passengers to the region. Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner stops in Santa Barbara on its way from San Diego to San Luis Obispo, with plenty of connections to other SoCal hotspots. Intercity buses, including FlixBus, offer routes from Santa Barbara to destinations like L.A., San Diego, and Las Vegas.

Station Information

Where is the train station in Oakland?

245 Second St  - OAKAMT-0

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution
246 Second St  - OAKAMT-1

Image credit: David Wilson

Link to image attribution

Main departure station: 245 Second St

The Jack London Station in Oakland opened in 1995, replacing 16th Street Station, which was extensively damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake in 1989. The station was named after the famous writer Jack London, as he spent much of his life in the area. It is a contemporary glass and stone structure located on the easternmost corner of Jack London Square. The square, which fronts a natural estuary leading to San Francisco Bay, was formerly the hub of Oakland's port activities, connecting the maritime and agricultural sectors. It is still an active and bustling waterfront today. Amtrak's Capitol Corridor, Coast Starlight, and San Joaquins trains serve the station. It is the 10th busiest of Amtrak's 74 California stops, boarding or de-boarding an average of 1,142 people per day.

All train stations in Oakland:

  • 245 Second St

  • Across San Leandro Blvd from BART station - 700 73rd Ave

Where is the train station in Santa Barbara?

Main arrival station: 209 State Street

Santa Barbara has one train station.

All train stations in Santa Barbara:

  • 209 State Street

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